Salinas, who is also a state representative from San Diego, Texas, said a state plan with the same options and benefits as state employees, and funded by the state, would free up local district money for school programs.

"School districts can no longer cover the skyrocketing costs of health care through local property taxes, and school employees can no longer afford these premiums," Salinas said.

Employee health insurance in school districts is funded through local tax revenue and employee contributions.

Salinas said, citing a TSTA survey, that in 718 out of 973 kindergarten through 12th grade school districts, individual employee insurance rates were raised this school year, therefore cutting into a $3,000 raise given to teachers, librarians and counselors.

In December, Lubbock school trustees approved switching from a self-insured plan to a preferred provider organization called HealthSmart. The employee monthly contribution increased from $10 to $46. District officials said the plan, which is effective Feb. 1, adds a co-payment for doctor's office visits and a card for discounts on prescription drugs that can offset the contribution increase.

"It's a much better deal than we had. The new insurance is definitely a step up for us," said James Harris, a local TSTA president, chairman of the LISD's insurance committee and an Atkins Junior High teacher.

State employees do not have to contribute any money to cover themselves in the state's health insurance plan.

House Speaker Pete Laney, D-Hale Center, announced in December the forming the House's Select Committee on Teacher Health Insurance to develop options on educator health insurance.

Salinas acknowledged that higher health insurance costs are not exclusive to public schools but that private companies are not passing on the increased cost to their employees.

He said that better insurance can help keep and attract teachers in the midst of a statewide teacher shortage.

Salinas also cited a 1997 law that states that the policies and coverage of school employees "must be comparable to the basic health coverage provided under the Texas Employees Uniform Group Insurance Benefits Act" in other words comparable to state employees.

Salinas estimated a statewide insurance plan for teachers to cost $5 billion but said the economy is growing and that in the last session the state had a surplus. He also said the more employees who are in a plan, the lower the plan's cost.

"The state economy is growing," Salinas said. "The money is there if it comes a No. 1 priority."